18-year-old Karl Cutajar, who has been appointed as the director, secretary, legal representative and judicial representative of a newly formed government security company called Fort Security Services, is not related to cabinet secretary Mario Cutajar, the government said this evening.

Earlier in Parliament, PN MP Jason Azzopardi had alleged that the appointee was a relative of Mr Cutajar. Economy Minister Chris Cardona defended the appointment, saying that his age is irrelevant as long as he is legally qualified to hold the role. 

Government backbencher Anthony Agius Decelis said the appointment shows the government's trust in youngsters. 

The government holds the majority of shares in the new company, and Mr Cutajar (Jnr.) holds one ordinary share as the representative of the government holding company Mimcol.

Dr Cardona said it is too early to say how many people will be employed with the new security company.

People with be engaged with the new company on merit, and they may be from within or outside the public service, Dr Cardona said. 

Through the new company, the government will save money which in the past was used to engage a select group of security firms, the Minister said. 

The company will also fill in gaps that existed under the previous government, such as at the former shipbuilding site.

There were substantial thefts from that site in the past, Dr Cardona said.